Arlington, Va., Oct 1, 2019 / 11:00 am
Catholics with special needs are a central part of "who we are and what we do" as a community, Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington told attendees of the diocesean Mass for Persons with Disabilities on Sunday, Sept. 29.
Burbidge told the assembly that he hopes and intends to work so that every school and parish in the Arlington diocese is able to offer special education and inclusion programs.
The Mass was sponsored by the diocese's Office of Faith Formation, Porto Charities, and Holy Spirit Church in Annandale, where the Mass was celebrated. The Virginia-based branch of Porto Charities works to help and support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Burbidge drew from Sunday's Gospel reading, the parable of the poor man, Lazarus, going to heaven while the rich man went to hell.